A 6-4, 203-pound defenseman from the OHL London Knights, Regula's father, CJ, was the Red Wings' long-time dentist. He now works for the Detroit Lions.

"When they called my name, I went over to him and he said, 'It doesn't get any better than this,' " Regula said. "Then when I saw him after I did all of my media stuff, he was like, 'This is something crazy, I can't even believe it.' I just said, 'I can't believe it either.' It's just something you wouldn't have guessed."

Regula's room at his mom's house in West Bloomfield is loaded with Red Wings memorabilia, including signed jerseys and pucks. He spent a lot of time in the dressing room at Joe Louis Arena as a kid and met many players. One stood out above the rest.

"I had a really good relationship with Valtteri Filppula," Regula said. "He was a really nice guy. I kind of latched onto him and I'd always want to see him and go in there and talk to him.

"I just loved the way he played. I thought he was a super-nice guy. When I first met him, he was in there getting work done on his teeth. I would hang out in my dad's little dentistry office in the corner room and he was in there and that's when I met him. That was the first guy I remember meeting. Then he was like my automatic idol."

Regula described himself as a two-way defenseman. He produced seven goals and 18 assists in 67 games in his first OHL season.

"I think I can contribute offensively, but I really pride myself on my defense," the right-shooting Regula said. "I got a good stick and good gaps. I think I got a lot to work on. I think I'm kind of a project for the Wings. I need to get my footwork going and I got to get a lot stronger, better endurance, all these things are what it takes to move to the next level."

A pro career became a realistic goal for him following his lone season with the USHL Chicago Steel that was capped by a Clark Cup championship in 2016-17.

In London, he was paired with Evan Bouchard, a player the Red Wings might have selected at No. 6 if Filip Zadina weren't available. Bouchard went 10th overall to the Edmonton Oilers.

"Every single night we were facing the other team's top line and that's something that helped me a lot," Regula said.

Spending a lot of time around NHL players in the room gave Regula a firsthand look at what it takes to be a pro.

"It just kind of showed me how they act, how they're so personable and really respectful," Regula said. "I also got to watch some practices that kind of showed me what the lifestyle is like."

Regula said his most prized memorabilia item is a hand-written note from Filppula that hangs on his wall at home and reads: "Best of luck this year, Alec. Can't wait to see you again."

Filppula, 34, recently signed a one-year contract with the New York Islanders.

"Hopefully, one day when I make it, he'll give me a head nod," Regula said.